With his whole future ahead of him, Martin McGowan died in 2005, from complications of the flu, the common, ordinary, everyday influenza. He was fifteen years old. He was healthy and strong. “One flu shot could have saved his life,” said Diane McGowan, his mother, and she added, “As his mother, I wish that he had been vaccinated.” She and her husband, Mike created M.A.R.T.I.N. (This acronym means “May All Receive Their Immunizations Now.”)

This foundation has goals to “eliminate misconceptions about the flu virus and vaccine so that families understand the importance of immunization for everyone 6 months of age and older.”

Stories like this one explain why The Florida Lung Doctors are taking this year’s influenza very seriously. Did you know that influenza, combined with its favorite side effect, pneumonia, is the nation’s ninth leading cause of death?

With the virus reported by 48 states, we hope that you have been vaccinated against the “flu.” Some people are under the mistaken impression that it is not effective to immunize after the onset of the flu season. The Florida lung doctors stress that this is not true.

Experts have explained that there are major benefits to immunization “for as long as the virus is circulating.” The CDC reminds us that the viral activity doesn’t reach its peak time until February or March. Remember also, that once you are vaccinated, it can take up to two weeks to become effective.

A Special Flu Warning

Experts have reported thirty-seven influenza-associated pediatric deaths, a higher number, at this time, than in many recent years. Attention, senior citizens! Did you know that ninety percent of flu-related deaths happen in your age group?

If you are 65 or older, you are in the highest risk group for serious consequences, even death, from this season’s virulent strain. Fifty percent of the hospitalizations that result from the flu symptoms are also in this age group.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this influenza season, started earlier than in recent years, and ruined the holidays for some patients in December and January.

Complications

Age is a factor because age-weakened immune systems are playgrounds for the influenza virus. Moreover, seniors, are often at an increased risk for the most terrible complication, pneumonia. For this reason, we also urge individuals over 65 to talk to their doctors about the Pneumococcal vaccine.

Don’t Become A Statistic

The virus strikes anyone, old or young, and it can be expensive, as well as miserable. The flu leads to a yearly average of 226,000 hospitalizations. The death toll from a season of the flu might surprise you. Specialists report a range of 3,000 to a 49,000 people succumb to influenza each year. These are grim statistics, for an illness that can be mitigated or avoided entirely, with proper immunization.

Get The Facts

1. Everyone in the U.S. 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated.

2. Children 6 months through 8 years of age who are receiving their first flu shot, need two doses about one month apart for optimal protection. Florida Lung Doctors want parents to understand that failure to follow up with that second shot can have dire, even deadly consequences.

3. After immunization, it takes about two weeks before the vaccine begins to give you protection from to the virus.

4. Influenza vaccination is safe.

5. The CDC reports that “this year’s vaccine is a good match for the influenza strains circulating.”

6. At the website www.facesofinfluenza.org, you can read many stories of triumph and tragedy concerning facing the flu.

With Valentine’s Day on the way, schedule an immunization for your Sweetheart or any loved one. The sick days you save could be spent in better ways.
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